ELECTION DAY HOURS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 January 1926, Page 5

ELECTION DAY HOURS.

NON-OBSERVANCE AT ASHBURTON. FIRST CASES IN SEVENTEEN ■ YEARS. (BY* TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ASHBURTON, Jan. 22. At the Police Court. Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., convicted 12 businessmen, including two or three of the. principal firms in the town, for keeping their premises open on the afternoon of election day. In one case it was explained that the employees had been allowed time off to vote. * Next day was show day, a holiday, and the following Saturday the half-holiday was observed. No intimation of the' Labour Department’s intention to enforce the law had been received. Three tobacconists concerned had closed their saloons and let the hands off, closing their shops at 2 o’clock. In another case it was ronten dec! that the place was both shop and factory. As regards butchers it was contended that they came under both Acts. They were not sure of the position, and closed on the Saturday. Mr Moslev remarked on the fact that these were the first prosecutions in 17 years, and he ordered the defendants to pay costs.